at 6pm — the prime minister says he's anxious about a rise in the indian covid variant in the uk, as scientists meet to discuss its spread. bolton has the highest rise in cases of the new variant — mostly among the young — some affected areas are now offering the vaccine to anyone over 18 to try to stop the spread. it is a variant of concern, we are anxious about it, it has been spreading. it comes as new figures reveal the impact of the pandemic on the nhs — almost five million people in england are now waiting for routine hospital treatment. portugal extends its restrictions on flights until the end of may — meaning thousands of holiday—makers hoping to go from next week may not now be allowed to travel.

israeli forces mass on the border with gaza, as military leaders consider plans for a possible ground invasion — palestinians continue firing barrages of rockets into israel, mostly at tel aviv. this is a painful day. david cameron is grilled by mps over his controversial lobbying of government figures, on behalf of a business which has now gone bust — he insists he abided by the rules. and why this stretch of a river in greater manchester has been named as the most plastic—polluted in the uk. and coming up on the bbc news channel... uefa confirm porto will host the champions league final between manchester city and chelsea — the game was moved from istanbul due to coronovirus restrictions on travelling fans from the uk. good evening, and welcome to the bbc news at six.

the prime minister says he is "anxious" about the spread of the indian coronavirus variant in parts of the uk, and says he can't rule anything out. bolton has one of the highest rates of the indian variant. most of the infections are thought to be among the under—255. the number of infections with the new variant is still relatively small but scientists have today been discussing its spread across the uk. our correspondent dominic hughes reports from bolton. search testing, and now an extra push on vaccinations is under way in bolton. this is a part of town that has seen a spike in infections. 553 new cases in a week, more than doubling the infection rate. we are doinu “ust doubling the infection rate. we are doing just over— doubling the infection rate. we are doing just over 300 _ doubling the infection rate. we are doing just over 300 vaccines - doubling the infection rate. we are doing just over 300 vaccines a - doubling the infection rate. we are| doing just over 300 vaccines a day. the concerns around the unknown is, how many cases are linked to the variant that originated in india, and how far has it spread? the

variant from _ and how far has it spread? the variant from india _ and how far has it spread? tue: variant from india seem and how far has it spread? tte: variant from india seem to appear around the time that our rates started to rise was not what we don't have the full detail on is how to what extent the rise is down to that, that is why we are doing the search testing in part, we have lots of sites across bolton that allow people without symptoms to be tested and we really need them to do that to get down to the detail of what variants are in our community. meat variants are in our community. next week, variants are in our community. next week. most — variants are in our community. next week, most students _ variants are in our community. next week, most students will— variants are in our community. next week, most students will be able to stop wearing masks and schools, but not here at the academy, where the vaccinations are being carried out. in light of a spike in this local area, — in light of a spike in this local area, it — in light of a spike in this local area, it is _ in light of a spike in this local area, it is really important we continue _ area, it is really important we continue wearing facemasks for the next few_ continue wearing facemasks for the next few weeks. i think it is important we all do our bit to keep each other— important we all do our bit to keep each other safer matters the number one priority— each other safer matters the number one priority of any principle that any school, so the mask wearing will continue _ any school, so the mask wearing will continue. �* ., ., ., , any school, so the mask wearing will continue. 1, ., .,, , continue. bolton has been here before. continue. bolton has been here before- only — continue. bolton has been here before. only a _ continue. bolton has been here before. only a few _ continue. bolton has been here before. only a few weeks - continue. bolton has been here before. only a few weeks last l continue. bolton has been here - before. only a few weeks last summer were free restrictions. the worry is that area is now seeing infections surge could find themselves subject to yet more local lockdowns. tt is a to yet more local lockdowns. it is a variant of concern, _

to yet more local lockdowns. it is a variant of concern, we _ to yet more local lockdowns. it is a variant of concern, we are - to yet more local lockdowns. it is a variant of concern, we are anxious| variant of concern, we are anxious about it, it has been spreading but we want to make sure we take all the prudential, all the cautious steps now that we could take.— prudential, all the cautious steps now that we could take. there has been no change — now that we could take. there has been no change in _ now that we could take. there has been no change in national- now that we could take. there has been no change in national policyl now that we could take. there has l been no change in national policy on who gets the vaccine, despite council leaders calling for more freedom to respond to local outbreaks. so far, vaccines remain highly effective. but new variants are the biggest threat to the path out of lockdown. tt are the biggest threat to the path out of lockdown.— are the biggest threat to the path out of lockdown. it might feel sore for a counle _ out of lockdown. it might feel sore for a counle of _ out of lockdown. it might feel sore for a couple of days, _ out of lockdown. it might feel sore for a couple of days, all— out of lockdown. it might feel sore for a couple of days, all right? - for a couple of days, all right? dominic hughes, bbc news, bolton. the latest data shows there were 2,657 new covid infections in the past 2a hours — with 11 deaths recorded. more than 35.9 million people have now had their first dose of a vaccine. that's over 68% of the uk's adult population. more than 18.5 million people have had both jabs, so more than 35% of all adults are now fully vaccinated. and our health editor hugh pym is with me. so many people now vaccinated. this

new variant, how worried should people be? new variant, how worried should peeple be?— people be? well, looking at the dail data people be? well, looking at the daily data is _ people be? well, looking at the daily data is very _ people be? well, looking at the daily data is very interesting. i daily data is very interesting. hospital admissions are down 8% week on week, deaths are down i3%, that is the impact of lockdown but also crucially the vaccine. nearly 70% of adults in the uk have now had their first dose, so that is all extremely reassuring. but cases, week on week, up reassuring. but cases, week on week, up i2.5%. now that could be because people are mixing a bit more ahead of restrictions being eased next week, or it could be the impact of these variants, including the indian variant. but there is no evidence yet from local areas where there are clusters of the indian variant that more people are going to hospital. there is no suggestion it makes people seriously ill at the moment from the data. so the other point is how effective is that acting? well, the european medicines agency said today they were pretty confident that the available vaccines would be effective against the variant. but

it is a variant of concern, as one source put it to me, because scientists and experts civilly don't know how transmissible is it, how fast is it going to be spreading, and how worried should they be. so the jury is out but at the moment the jury is out but at the moment the evidence is it does not cause people to get sicker, and it doesn't cause further problems like that. thank you. let's move onto something else you have been at today. nhs waiting lists in england have risen again to the highest levels on record — because of the backlog caused by the pandemic. just underfive million people are waiting for hospital treatment, more than 400,000 have been waiting for more than a year. nhs england has allocated £160 million to fund extra clinics at weekends, and virtual assessments, as part of a trial scheme to help tackle the backlog. here's hugh osmond report. susan needs two knee replacements. she's waited since the start of last year for the first one, and still no date's been offered. she is a primary school teacher, but has now had to stay off work.

kept going all last year, kept going through lockdown, through everything else, but unfortunately it's come to this year, and i can't, couldn't carry on. she really wants to get back in the classroom. i am upset, and i do feel that i have let the children down, although it's out of my hands, and it isn't my fault. just one example of howjobs and everyday lives are blighted by long waits for nhs treatment. the total waiting for nonurgent operations in england in march was about 9% of the whole population. in scotland, it was 8% in december, the latest available figures. in wales, it was i7% in february, and in northern ireland, 23% of the population was on a waiting list, according to data in december. so what are the solutions? well, money is being made available to some hospitals in england who have come up with ideas for using technology and smarter ways of working to get more operations done,

and more patients off the waiting list. bristol's southmead hospital is one of them, with a range of new plans. we are trying to get more people through clinics now by increasing our numbers of face—to—face and also virtual appointments, and then, as regards to theatre operating, we are increasing the number of lists and extending the lists for longer time, going into the evenings, and hopefully using weekends, as well. i'm sorry i'm not there with you. how are you feeling? rebecca, who is a surgeon, is talking via video link tojulia, who had a complex ankle operation. if i turn it around... what is in effect an ipad on wheels provides the sound and pictures. it's called hospital at home, and allows doctors to monitor julia from a distance. because of the hospital at home team, i was able to come out that much earlier, and i suppose i was able to leave a bed for somebody else,

and i could come home to my own bed, which has been a sheer delight, i can tell you. nhs england said operations were back to 80% of pre—pandemic levels. staff are working flat out, but there is a huge backlog of work, which could take years to get through. hugh pym, bbc news. portugal has announced its extending its restrictions on uk flights until the end of may, meaning people who had booked to travel there from next week may not be able to go. portugal is one ofjust 12 countries on the uk's green list, which means you don't have to quarantine on return. our transport correspondent caroline davies is here. so the 17th of may is the date when people can go to a number of countries, green countries. portugal is one of them, but now it's not sure whether they are going to be able to do it, some confusion? so es,

able to do it, some confusion? sr yes, just able to do it, some confusion? 5r yes, just to be clear, no decision has yet been made by the portuguese government about whether they are going to allow uk tourists in on the 17th of may, but bearing in mind thatis 17th of may, but bearing in mind that is three days away and plenty of people have already booked to go on holiday. now as you say, the green list was announced last week, 12 countries and territories on the list, but that does include places like australia and new zealand which are not accepting british tourists. so many people in the industry had staked their hopes on you portugal being a key european destination. we had from portugal today they have extended the state of calamity as it is good until 30th may, and also at the moment nonessential travel is currently not permitted to portugal. when asked about whether caterers will be able to come, the cabinet minister said i have no information to give yet. however, she did also give information about the uefa champions league final, which is anticipated to be played in portugal on 29th of may. she said that fans would have to flight —— fly in and out on chartered flights, that they would have to stay in what she called a bubble situation and would

have to be in and out of the country within 48 our is. the travel industry are still waiting nervously to hear whether or not portugal will be open but this really shows quite how volatile the international travel situation is. it is notjust enough of the uk to put something on the green list, we have to be let in as well. ., ., , ., ~ , ., israeli forces are massing on the border with gaza, as the military considers plans for a possible ground invasion. israel has continued its air strikes on gaza, where people say they endured the hardest night of air strikes since the 2014 war. at least 83 people are reported to have been killed there since monday. seven people have died in israel. palestinian militants have continued firing barrages of rockets at several target cities across israel. and sectarian clashes betweenjewish and arab civilians on the streets, who live side by side, of tel aviv, lod and beyond have intensified, amid warnings of civil war. from jerusalem here's our middle east editor, jeremy bowen.

vicious night after long hard days and then an unexpected front line on the streets of israel. sectarian violence between israeli citizens is a new dimension of this crisis. not all israelis arejewish, around 20% are palestinian arabs. last night, young men were on the prowl for people to attack. jewish people against arabs, arabs againstjewish people, all israeli citizens. israel's president warned that the country should not abandon itself to civil war. country should not abandon itself to civilwar. in country should not abandon itself to civil war. in gaza, successive wars between hamas and israel in the past 15 years have followed a pattern. the next big decision for israel is whether to its troops. tens of thousands of palestinians gathered in jerusalem thousands of palestinians gathered injerusalem to pray at islam's holiest place, after mecca and

medina. chance and banners celebrating hamas and its leaders where there. on eid, the holiday that marks the end of ramadan. it is meant to be a fun time, parents did their best, but this year it is hard. the palestinian president mahmud bass, upstaged by his rivals in hamas, is trying to reflect the mood of his people —— mahmud abbas. no stability or security while jerusalem is occupied, he said. in the town closest to gaza, a five—year—old boy was killed when a rocket hit his building. his neighbours have had enough. tt’s neighbours have had enough. it's ve , neighbours have had enough. it's very. very _ neighbours have had enough. tt�*s very, very difficult to live under these circumstances. and the government should wipe out gaza, should wipe out gaza, once and for all. �* ., ., , ., should wipe out gaza, once and for all. �* ., ., ,., �*, all. ben'amin netanyahu, israel's prime all. benjamin netanyahu, israel's prime minister, _

all. benjamin netanyahu, israel's prime minister, went _ all. benjamin netanyahu, israel's prime minister, went to - all. benjamin netanyahu, israel's prime minister, went to see - all. benjamin netanyahu, israel's. prime minister, went to see troops running the iron dome anti—missile factories. he said, it would take time, but israel would decisively restore quiet. it is a modest war aim. he will need more detail israelis than that before all this can end. the prime minister is also struggling to save his job. can end. the prime minister is also struggling to save hisjob. right across israel and the occupied territories this week, there is a serious violence. this was the town of hebron last night on the occupied west bank. young palestinians and israelis, confronting each other, and generation cursed by the failures of its leaders. —— another generation. failures of its leaders. -- another generation-— generation. you know, it is one thing perhaps— generation. you know, it is one thing perhaps for _ generation. you know, it is one thing perhaps for a _ generation. you know, it is one thing perhaps for a leader - generation. you know, it is one thing perhaps for a leader to i generation. you know, it is one| thing perhaps for a leader to fail to do something, to fail to make peace on a hundred—year old conflict. now, that is tall order, but the issue is that there is no peace process at all, and there hasn't been for really quite a long time. so they are not trying, and

more than that, leaders on all sides have made things worse through their actions, often for short—term political reasons. sophie, back to you. political reasons. sophie, back to ou. , �* ., g you. jeremy bowen in jerusalem. thank yon _ david cameron has said he believes he was acting in the public interest when he lobbied ministers and senior civil servants on behalf of the collapsed financial company greensill capital. the former prime minister — giving evidence to mps conducting inquiries into the affair — faced a series of uncomfortable questions, but he again insisted he had not broken any rules. our political editor laura kuenssberg was watching. money, power, and how it moves around. the former prime minister used his phonebook to push the case for his employer along to the treasury, to the bank of england.

arguing for a now failed city firm greensill capital to take part in emergency loans last year. david cameron's role was hidden from view. texts and e—mails emerged after weeks of relative silence. so too has he. this is a painful day. admitting at the start he could have acted differently but adamant he did nothing wrong. nothing i did was in breach of the rules. but on the wider test of what is appropriate, as i've said previously it would be better to use the most formal means of contact via a letter. david cameron went to work for greensill after leaving office. last year he appealed repeatedly to former colleagues for the firm to be part of a scheme giving out emergency loans. lobbying is allowed but it's meant to be transparent. and there were nearly 60 attempts to get in touch. a message to the chancellor... and then his old

friend michael gove. the treasury rejected the request but greensill, which has now gone under, was allowed to give up millions of pounds of government backgrounds to a separate scheme. mps this afternoon were determined to wrinkle david cameron's smooth reputation. do you not feel you have demeaned yourself by whatsapping your way around whitehall? what i did at the time of economic crisis was put to the government what i genuinely believed to be a good idea for how to get money into the hands of small businesses. it's been an embarrassing afternoon for the man who used to run the country. coy about how much he was being paid, or how often he used the compa ny�*s jet. but david cameron denied that he knew that greensill was in big trouble at the beginning of the pandemic when he was sending all of those texts. it's more like stalking than lobbying. looking back, aren't you a little bit embarrassed about the way you've behaved? we thought we had a good idea.

i was keen to get it in front of government but as i said there are lessons to learn and lessons for me to learn. there are several investigations into greensill. but the firm's failure begs questions about how influence as well as money can be part of trade. laura kuenssberg, bbc news, westminster. our top story this evening — the prime minister says he's anxious about a rise in the indian covid variant in the uk, as scientists meet to discuss its spread. sir alex ferguson on his illustrious career, life—changing illness and the new film that tells the story. coming up in sportsday on the bbc news channel, a fresh start for the former wales coach rob howley — we hear how how he's rebuilding his career with canada, after breaching betting rules that saw him sent home from the world cup in 2019. part of the river tame in greater manchester has been named as the most plastic—polluted

river bed in the uk. a study, carried out across the river, revealed very high concentrations of tiny plastic particles that scientists say have come from sewage — untreated waste water which is regularly released into the river. our science correspondent victoria gill has more. capturing a snapshot of the plastic pollution in our rivers. this spot on the river tame has the most plastic polluted riverbed in the uk. we've got a couple of microbeads in here. and scientists say they've now zoomed in on the source of all that plastic. there are up to three million microplastic particles per day can be coming out of this outfall under given conditions. so it's very, very clear that microplastics are coming from combined sewer overflows like the one behind me, or from outfalls directly from waste water treatment plants. untreated waste water is waste with both raw sewage and microplastics — fragments of packaging, coatings and fibres from our homes, and plastic debris from industry that's washed down the drain.

but treating that waste water, the researchers say, would remove most of those particles. the fact that they accumulate in the riverbed shows that untreated sewage is being released frequently. there's plenty of signs of pollution in this water and along these river banks, but this is just a classic semi urban river, typical of anywhere in the uk. and what the scientists say is that wherever untreated sewage is being released into our rivers, it's bringing large quantities of microplastic. the water company that operates the treatment plants on this river, united utilities, declined an interview but told us they didn't fully accept the findings. in a statement, the company said... "we recognise we have a role to play and are involved in a wider study to understand the sources of microplastics in the environment." the sediments where microplastics settle are the foundation of a river's ecosystem, and the scientists say that plastic is adding just another layer of pollution to an already damaged river environment.

victoria gill, bbc news. an immigration van has been surrounded by protesters attempting to prevent it from leaving a street in glasgow. some of the protesters were heard shouting "let our neighbours go". police scotland said a number of its officers had been called to the south side of the city to support the uk border agency. first minister nicola sturgeon described the situation as deeply concerning. tonight the two men have been released. the amount of fraud and error in the benefits system has hit record levels. £8.4 billion was lost in the past year, according to the latest figures. that's up 83% on the year before. there was a big increase in the number of overpayments on the main benefit — universal credit — driven almost entirely by fraud, as it was targeted by criminal gangs. our social affairs correspondent, michael buchanan, has the details.

i have been fortunate enough that i've never claimed benefits so i was really surprised the dwp were asking me to repay anything really. jae me to repay anything really. joe darby was _ me to repay anything really. joe darby was the victim of identity theft last year. fraudsters made a claim for universal credit in her name and obtained almost £1500 in benefits. �* .., , �* name and obtained almost £1500 in benefits. �* , �* ., , benefits. because i didn't have my oane benefits. because i didn't have my online account _ benefits. because i didn't have my online account information, - benefits. because i didn't have my online account information, i - online account information, i couldn't access any support because i hadn't set up the benefits account. tt i hadn't set up the benefits account. ., ., ~' i hadn't set up the benefits account-— i hadn't set up the benefits account. g; ., account. it took the 37-year-old weeks to convince _ account. it took the 37-year-old weeks to convince the _ account. it took the 37-year-old i weeks to convince the department account. it took the 37-year-old - weeks to convince the department for work and pensions that she hadn't been paid the money.— work and pensions that she hadn't been paid the money. when you are a victim of fraud. _ been paid the money. when you are a victim of fraud, you _ been paid the money. when you are a victim of fraud, you panic _ been paid the money. when you are a victim of fraud, you panic but - been paid the money. when you are a victim of fraud, you panic but you - victim of fraud, you panic but you hope there is someone you can contact to help you resolve it but i felt like there was nobody that could understand what was happening, nobody could conceive how somebody could have created an account and claimed the benefits. the pandemic has turned universal— claimed the benefits. the pandemic has turned universal credit - claimed the benefits. the pandemic has turned universal credit into - claimed the benefits. the pandemic has turned universal credit into a i has turned universal credit into a lifeline for millions of people. to process claims quickly some benefit

rules were relaxed. identity checks for instance were carried out online rather than injob for instance were carried out online rather than in job centres. criminals exploit the changes and have made off with billions. the senior leader —— leadership team are unapologetic, saying a huge number of people needed help quickly and they say they will prosecute anyone who scams the benefit system and will recover as much money as they can. the loss of almost £8.5 billion last year is a record, but fraud on the main benefit was rising anyway. the problems with fraud and universal credit go back way before the pandemic. the pandemic has made them worse but there were real problem is evident there before the pandemic hit. problem is evident there before the pandemic hit-— pandemic hit. joe's problem was eventually _ pandemic hit. joe's problem was eventually resolved. _ pandemic hit. joe's problem was eventually resolved. she - pandemic hit. joe's problem was eventually resolved. she has i pandemic hit. joe's problem was eventually resolved. she has no | pandemic hit. joe's problem was i eventually resolved. she has no idea if the criminal who stole her identity was caught. it seems many fraudsters have got away with it

however. michael buchanan, bbc news. an inquest found the victims were entirely innocent but some relatives say they are unhappy with the government's response. a former metropolitan police officer who worked with an organised crime gang to steal hundreds of thousands of pounds�* worth of drugs money has been jailed for eight years. kashif mahmood was dismissed from the force last november, after pleading guilty to misconduct in public office, and conspiracy to acquire criminal property. our home affairs correspondent tom symonds reports. pc kashif mahmood, commended for his service in uniform. convicted for his part in an international drugs gang.

their scam — buy drugs off criminal associates and then steal the money they paid back, which is where pc mahmood came in. he would book out police cars and intercept the drugs careers pretending to search them but taking the cash. it is thought the gang amassed more than £1 million, but for the met�*s commissioner, the biggest crime was the betrayal of the uniform. taste biggest crime was the betrayal of the uniform-— biggest crime was the betrayal of the uniform. ~ ., ., , the uniform. we have a very powerful anti-corruption _ the uniform. we have a very powerful anti-corruption capability, _ the uniform. we have a very powerful anti-corruption capability, and - the uniform. we have a very powerful anti-corruption capability, and we i anti—corruption capability, and we will always deploy it when we get intelligence information about anyone in our ranks who is acting in anyone in our ranks who is acting in a corrupt manner. they betray the rest of us and we are poor this form of corruption —— abhor. the rest of us and we are poor this form of corruption -- abhor.— of corruption -- abhor. the gang tarueted of corruption -- abhor. the gang targeted one _ of corruption -- abhor. the gang targeted one drug _ of corruption -- abhor. the gang targeted one drug courier - of corruption -- abhor. the gang targeted one drug courier in i of corruption -- abhor. the gang targeted one drug courier in the | targeted one drug courier in the street. pc mahmood and his friend posing as a police officer stopped the car and took the money but the whole incident was being watched by a police surveillance team working

on a different investigation. they wanted to know what mahmood was doing. it eventually turned out he was supposed to be on long—term sick leave. mahmood also accidentally triggered his body camera, revealing his friend, the fake police officer, adding to the evidence against the gang. for decades, sir alex ferguson dominated the british football landscape, leading manchester united to unprecedented success. eight years after retiring, sir alex ferguson is now the subject of a new film charting his extraordinary life and his recovery from a brain haemorrhage in 2018. the film has been directed by his sonjason. our sports editor dan roan has been speaking to both of them at old trafford. sir alex, tell me, what was it like revisiting the most important moments of your life, both good and bad? in my career i never use reflection as part of my management. i always look forward

and the next day was the most important day to me. the reflection was quite powerful for me. you know, i realised... god, did we do that? recounting hisjourney from his working class roots in glasgow, sir alex ferguson never give in, released later this month, follows the iconic scotsman's playing and managerial career, as well as the more personal side of a man who won it all. the impossible dream... i didn't want to feel or couldn't feel that there was always a driving force for me. football management is such a sacrifice that you don't have time for family. did you feel a sense of great responsibility, jason, to do your father's remarkable careerjustice? yeah, idid. but then i quite quickly flipped that from the point of view of looking at it and utilising the relationship we have as a tool to make something that was very personal and intimate. ambulance service. my dad has collapsed. alexander ferguson.

and for the first time, the circumstances surrounding the devastating brain haemorrhage that ferguson suffered three years ago are revealed. t ferguson suffered three years ago are revealed.— ferguson suffered three years ago are revealed. i try to get in my bed and 'ust are revealed. i try to get in my bed and just collapsed. _ i fell against the shoe rack and all the shoes fell out and made a noise, and cathy, fortunately, was downstairs. she came up and i don't remember a thing from then. i was lucky. what was your greatest fear at that moment? my memory. without doubt. if i lost my memory, it's not me. and then when i lost my voice, i was a bit terrified to be honest with you. if i go tomorrow, i'll be grateful for the three years extra i had. the film ends with ferguson's defining triumph in the 1999 final of the champions league, competition recently threatened by the proposed european super league. united's fans storming on trafford in protest at the role of the club's owners in the

failed plot. what did you make of that, and what has happened since?— has happened since? every club should have _ has happened since? every club should have a _ has happened since? every club should have a dream. _ has happened since? every club should have a dream. you i has happened since? every club i should have a dream. you cannot ever forget the real reason. the smallest quy forget the real reason. the smallest guy can cling to the top of everest, we can't do without that. something would be lost. _ we can't do without that. something would be lost. lost. _ we can't do without that. something would be lost. lost. ferguson's- would be lost. lost. ferguson's complete _ would be lost. lost. ferguson's complete control— would be lost. lost. ferguson's complete control of _ would be lost. lost. ferguson's complete control of old - would be lost. lost. ferguson's complete control of old trafford is increasingly rare in management today with a shift towards player power. today with a shift towards player ower. , ., ., ., , power. they are more fragile, they need more — power. they are more fragile, they need more care. _ power. they are more fragile, they need more care. it's _ power. they are more fragile, they need more care. it's become i power. they are more fragile, they need more care. it's become a i power. they are more fragile, they l need more care. it's become a more protective life. do need more care. it's become a more protective life-— protective life. do you think that ou would protective life. do you think that you would find _ protective life. do you think that you would find it _ protective life. do you think that you would find it harder- protective life. do you think that you would find it harder if- protective life. do you think that. you would find it harder if starting your managerial career today? personally i don't think so. i think i have the personality and the drive to do well, and the hunger. the goods —— the good ones will find a way. and you can see the full version

of dan roan's interview with sir alex ferguson on the bbc iplayer. time for a look at the weather. here's tomasz schafernaker. the heavens open today and we had blunder across the country but the heaviest of the rain has been across south—west parts of the country, devon and south wales, an area of low pressure with a weather front spiralling in. a very slow area which has been almost stationary in parts of the country. further north, heavy showers across wales, parts of north—west england and into dumfries and galloway. some scattered showers also in northern ireland, and some others missed the showers altogether. through the night as the showers die away in the south, it will turn murky across many other areas. this cloud will spread in from the north sea. it's going to be frost—free, 6 degrees in newcastle, 9 degrees in cardiff, and the good news for tomorrow is we are expecting fewer downpours but i want to emphasise the word viewer. we are

expecting some thunderstorms quite possibly across western and southern